Glendining Family, Ashgrove, Sevenoaks

[ashleyj]

First post ever anywhere, so please excuse style if not what is expected.

Am church archivist for St. George's Church Sevenoaks Weald, found a burial vault beneath the Church in 2001.

Occupants are Alexander Glendining and his two daughters Ada and Louisa.

Would be interested to find out if there are any family descendants in the area who have any knowledge of the family's involvement with the Church as the vault must have been built at the same time as the original chapel was built in 1821 but no details apparently exist.

Thanks in anticipation, Ashley

[MaryA]

It may not be quite as old as you think, unless of course there was an earlier generation with similar names, quite possible.

The IGI - www.familysearch.org.uk have the following children listed to Alexander and Sarah Glendining

All in Sevenoaks, Kent
Ada - Christened 29 November 1837
Amy - Christened 08 August 1845
Sophia Elizabeth - Christened 01 May 1841

Don't see any entries for Louisa.  You probably have access to the baptism register so may be able to check if there are any other details, such as address.  Meantime I'll check the census to see if there is any mention.

[MaryA]

Yes!! 1841

No = Not born in County
Ashgrove, Seven Oaks, Kent
Alexander Glendining 50 Independent No
Sarah 35 No
Sidney 5 No
Ada 3 Yes
Sophia 9? months Yes
HO107; Piece  485; Book:  5; Civil Parish:  Seven Oaks; County:  Kent; Enumeration District:  8; Folio:  31; Page:  3

[MaryA]

In 1851 Ada is 13 years old and appears to be at school in Hove, Brighton
HO107; Piece:  1647; Folio:  85; Page:  54

[ashleyj]

Many thanks for such a rapid response.

I actually have all BMDs for the occupants and would like to see if there are any family descendants with an interest in their past who may have old family papers re. the vault as it must have been very expensive to build a sit is the full width of the nave and runs 14' west from beneath the chancel steps. Builders have told me that to construct this after the chapel was built would not have been at all likely / possible so must be ca. 1821.

There is a family story here as well as the wife / mother was buried in tunbridge wells and not brought back to the family vault. Possibly due to her husband and her being separated and him dying whilst living with his "nurse and constant companion" elsewhere!

[MaryA]

Have to have another look for Sidney in a minute, at least he hasn't died,

1861 has them lodging in West Beach, Lytham, Lancashire
Sidney Glendining 25 born Sussex Brighton
Emily J 28 Surrey Camberwell
Douglas 3 and Lily B 2 both born Seven Oaks, Kent
RG9; Piece:  3147; Folio:  38; Page:  5

Sidney Glendining married Q3 1856 Sevenoaks 2a 581 to either Caroline Bassett or Emily Jane Perkins

[MaryA]

If we are able to work forward there may be some clues to living people who you might be able to contact.

[ashleyj]

Many thanks Mary,

You are indeed a fast worker. There is a sad tale of the two young daughters, they both predeceased their father and were placed in the vault, he then died in 1870 and joined them but they are without their mother.

The whole story of finding the vault was a rather Indiana Jones saga and it would be nice to close the story with the knowledge that their descendants know of its existence.

[MaryA]

1861 is rather interesting

Same address
Alexander Glendenning Head M 71 Magistrate Yorkshire Halifax
Sarah Wife M 58 London
Alexander son Un 18 Scholar Kent Sevenoaks
Lily Saunders daur Mar 33 Wife of an Officer Manchester
Julia S daur 8 India Calcutta
Emily daur 6 Kent Tunbridge Wells
Florence daur 5 India Calcutta
Alick B son 3 India Sealkote
Lily daur 1 Kent Sevenoaks
plus servants
RG9; Piece:  488; Folio:  126; Page:  4